Bewley Tackles Rehoming Challenge

PASSIONATE Victorian rehoming advocate Debbie Bewley is tackling one of greyhound racing's greatest challenges head-on – from her own backyard.

Frustrated at the lengthy waiting process with the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) in her state, Debbie, a born-and-bred greyhound lover, decided she was going to make a difference.

And in just six months, her results speak for themselves.

Since starting her Greyhounds 4 Rehoming Facebook page, Debbie, whose late brother Des Moodie Jr. trained 1995 Australian Cup winner Bonjase, has placed 19 greyhounds in forever homes.

Debbie and husband Michael, both also trainers, took their dedication to a whole new level when staging a successful free adoption day at their Pentland Hills property earlier this month.

Attended by a fully-engaged crowd upwards of 60, a further 13 greyhounds went directly from the kennel to loving family homes (as the uplifting photos accompanying this article attest).

"The show was fantastic; it couldn't have gone any better," Debbie said.

"I'm hoping we'll find homes for another couple of dogs too, because 12 families weren't able to make it, so I'm going to follow up with them.

"I spent six weeks preparing and there was a lot of work organising everything, but it was so worth it!

"The people who adopted greyhounds have sent me some fantastic photos of the dogs in their new homes."

Among the success stories on show at the open day were guests of honour, brothers ‘Bert' and ‘Ernie'.

Bred by the Bewleys, ‘the siblings have been homed together, with Debbie still having their mother Gazer Bale, a litter sister to the one and only Fernando Bale, as a pet.

While Debbie has already been directly responsible for rehoming in excess of 30 greyhounds in less than a year, that number is even more impressive.

Her Greyhounds 4 Rehoming Facebook page also provides a platform for owners to showcase greyhounds available for adoption.

"Rehoming was the number one conversation at every venue we raced at," Debbie explained.

"It's over a 12-month wait with GAP, which is just too long. The dogs get depressed.

"I started thinking how can I help? 

"I was racking my brain and we decided to do it at our place. 

"This was the first show we've had, so next time it will be much easier. I can't wait to do another one.

"I've just got a passion for these dogs. I have so many ideas and I could do a lot more with greater support."

That help could come from GRV, which could do a lot worse than join forces with Debbie – or at the very least, provide support – either of which the Bewleys would welcome with open arms.

Posts on social media, including the Aussie Greyhounds Forum, have suggested GRV employ Debbie, and it's hard to imagine a more impressive job application than her initial adoption day.

Off her own bat, from her backyard, and without assistance from the governing body, she all-but matched the total number of greyhounds rehomed at the most recent GAP adoption day at Geelong, where, according to the GAP website, 14 greyhounds were rehomed.